| Toasting is the strongest and most formal in Germany, | | | | the host would be the last one to drink what was left |
| Scandinavia and Eastern European countries. | | | | and this included eating the wine saturated piece of |
| In France, Italy and Spain the toast is even given | | | | toast. This was always done in honor of the guests. |
| German names. In Spain and Italy, to toast is called | | | | There are lots of ways that toasts were done in |
| brindar and came from the German phrase "Ich bring | | | | ancient history, but the main point was that it was an |
| dir" which means "I bring it to you". | | | | offering from man to his Deity (God). Throughout |
| In France you will hear them say "trinquer" which | | | | history, man has always expressed his highest honors |
| comes from the German word "trinken" and means | | | | to the Deity in the form of a drink and the offering of |
| "to drink". | | | | toasts. |
| And just incase you are wondering where the english | | | | How the Toast Started |
| phrase "toast" comes from, it comes from the practice | | | | Many years ago, in Greece, the people would perform |
| of floating a piece of burnt toast on top of the wine of | | | | what was called a libation. A libation (an alcoholic drink |
| the loving cup. The reason for this was that the toast | | | | which is offered as a religious ritual) was considered a |
| took away some of the acidity of the wine. Back | | | | prayer and a sharing of wine with the gods. They |
| years ago wine wasn't as good as it is today, so this | | | | would stand up and while holding a cup full of wine in |
| floating piece of burnt toast worked well to tone down | | | | one hand, look up into the sky, and pray with both |
| the sharpness of the wine. It was an ancient custom | | | | arms and cup raised, then drink the wine. Of course, |
| that was popular during the roman and Greek times | | | | they realized the gods didn't really share the wine, but |
| dating as far back as the 6th Century B.C. After the | | | | they knew their gift was accepted and a connection |
| bowl was passed around and shared by all the people, | | | | with the gods were made... |